Special needs | Lessons from my daughter

A couple of weeks ago, I sat down and wrote my first ever bucket list.

You can find my post here: Autumn Bucket list

The last 2 items on my list are:

39. Document my bucket list with pictures

40. Blog about my progress weekly

This is my second update… what could we have possibly done over the last week?

#1 – Get Emily ready for Halloween.

I am not showing you yet 🙂 but it involves a wig, bow and arrows and an awesome dress!

#4 – Go apple picking.

Around here, it looks like everybody go apple picking at the same place which makes for a very busy outing with too many people… So, we went the other way and found a nice quiet orchard…

La Fleur du pommier

What’s with the hat you ask? Emily wanted to wear it last week when we went pumpkin picking and we convinced her not to. This week, we just couldn’t convince her not to so she wore it…

We picked and bought many apples. Once home, I made a nice apple and blueberry crumble.

#15 – Catch a Wildcats game

Now that Jonathan works during the day (Yeah for no more overnight shifts), we will probably do this more often. We used to be season tickets owners… I suspect we might be again in the future.

#18 – Make puzzles with Jon and Emily.

We started a 1,000 pieces puzzle… not done yet but I suspect that Emily will come and save the day towards the end of it!

#20 – Help with the United Way campaign at work.

I work with amazing colleagues and every chance we have, we help with fundraisers. We can bake as a group to bring goodies to a bake sale or put a “gift basket” into our United Way silent auction. For the 3rd year, we’ve also issued a challenge to other teams at work increasing the amount of gift baskets or items entered in the auction and increasing the money that is raised.

We haven’t revealed our “contribution” to the auction yet… Once we do, I will show you!

We attempted #17 – Go on a fall foliage drive… The colors were not there yet so we will give it another try tomorrow!

#34 – Change my hair color. I have found a hair colorist and booked a consultation for this week!

Here you have it! Week 2!

What about you? Do you have a bucket list?

If so, is it seasonal, yearly or lifelong?

If you’ve written about it in your blog, please share it in the comments below. I would live to read it!

Today marked the 16th anniversary of Emily’s diagnosis…

Cri du chat syndrome… Or CDC syndrome… Or 5P-

16 years ago, our life changed

Emily15mo
This 15 months old little girl has changed us.

I write about Emily’s success, I tell you about all the wonderful things she does and I show you pictures that showcase my girl in the best light possible.

I told you about the day the genetic counsellors told us that she would never walk, talk, recognize us, show emotions, learn to eat…

I told you how she can do all of those things.

I don’t tell you about some of her challenges because she asked me not to.

The fact that she can ask me not to tell you some of her more private struggles is a success.

She understands that some things are private.

I do my best to take you into our world but I don’t believe my writing will ever do Emily justice.

I don’t dwell on the things that I couldn’t and sometimes still can’t control.

The hair and nail pulling, my back pain, sleepless nights, completely scary amount of vomitting, surgeries, hospital stays, getting slapped, pushed, kicked or hit, biting, teeth grinding, my concussion, my TMJ, school meetings, tutoring, various therapies, sign language classes, PECS system, psychologist assessment, doctors appointments, vacation days spent at the hospital, schedule juggling and financially broke…. Just to name a few…

This journey we’ve been on is not an easy one.

On many occasions, it sucked!

The thing is, I can’t live a life where those moments define me and my outlook on life.

I chose to be happy!

I chose to be inspired by Emily!

I chose the smiles, laugh, cuddles…

I chose to see that Emily can help with small tasks around the house, I chose to see that she is happy in school and continues to learn.

I chose to sing my head off with her in the car and watch whatever it is she wants to watch on tv.

I love that she understands two languages and understands empathy and other complex emotions.

I love how stubborn she is! Her determination is admirable.

I love how patient she is! She will continue to explain herself until she’s understood..

I love how girly she is.